FRUGAL FASHION

Inauguration 2013: Copy Michelle Obama's first lady style

First Lady Michelle Obama stole the spotlight at the inaugural festivities this week as a sartorial knockout. Sporting a sleek new hairstyle, she proved with every outfit she is as much a style icon as her notably fashionable predecessors Jacqueline Kennedy and Nancy Reagan.

For the formal swearing-in ceremony, Obama wore a navy jacquard coat by Thom Browne with a jeweled J. Crew belt, black Reed Krakoff boots and purple gloves. The look was simple yet refined, with just the right punches of color and texture.

"The fabric specifically was one I was developing for my men's collection that I just showed -- a silk jacquard fabric based off an old tie," Browne told Times reporter Adam Tschorn during a phone interview from Paris. "There's a beautiful structure to the fabric."